AS5200 Product Enables Universal Access, Managed Modems, Complete Scalability and Operational Cost Control
SAN JOSE, Calif., -- January 30, 1996 -- Cisco Systems, Inc. today introducedthe AS5200, the first product in a new family of Universal Access Serversthat integrates traditional and advanced telecommunications technologies,as well as ensures cost-effective scalability to accommodate future growthin network demand. The AS5200 offers breakthroughs in universal access,modem management, scalability and network management in an integrated plainold telephone service (POTS) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)solution. The product is intended for Internet Service Providers (ISPs),telecommunications carriers and other providers who offer managed Internetconnections, as well as large corporations that provide both digital andanalog access to users on an enterprise network.
"Cisco's new Universal Access Server series reinforces our commitment toprovide market-leading dial-up access solutions for the continued growth ofon-line services, virtual dial-up services and telecommuter programs," said
Universal Access
To meet the growing need to access information from disparate sources, theAS5200 offers two levels of connectivity to provide telecommuters, mobileprofessionals and home computer users with the most complete universalnetwork accessibility. First, both POTS and ISDN can be terminated on thesame chassis, enabling ISPs and enterprise network managers to meettraditional dial-in needs, while supporting the growing demand forhigh-speed ISDN access. On a second level, the AS5200 supports the mostcomplete set of access protocols through the Cisco IOS software, includingIP, IPX, and AT, PPP, SLIP, andX.3/X.28/X.29. This extensive accessibilityenables Cisco to offer the industry's first universal access functionalityfor large-scale deployment.Managed Modems
The Cisco AS5200 is also the first access server to support multiple modemtechnology and provide centrally managed modem capabilities, keyrequirements for service providers and enterprises building large dial-inpools. The AS5200 features an open modem architecture, including modemsfrom Microcom andU.S. Robotics, enabling customers tomaximize modemcoverage for higher performance, while leveraging their installed base ofmodem technology. The AS5200 also offers the most complete modem managementcapabilities, providing network managers with one solution at a centralmanagement point. For example, the same management platform is used tomanage both routers and modems, significantly streamlining networkmanagement. In addition, incoming modem calls can be managed in progressrather than after the call, allowing for fast troubleshooting and analysis.And, finally, the ability to configure both managed and unmanaged modemsprovides network managers with the cost-effective option of managing modemsremotely.Scalability
With the Cisco IOS software's implementation of the multi-chassis,multi-link Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), ISPs and enterprise networkmanagers with large dial-in pools can easily scale and integrate theiraccess infrastructures to aggregate multiple calls on multiple servers,providing a higher bandwidth solution to their end users. These scalabilityfeatures are critical for service providers and enterprise customers asthey build massively deployed access infrastructures.Cost Control
Lower operating costs are also achievable with the new AS5200's set ofcentral management capabilities. In addition to advanced modem managementfeatures, the AS5200 comes bundled withThrough the rich feature set of the Cisco IOS software, combined withCisco's new Universal Access Server platform, large enterprises and serviceproviders can for the first time deploy massive access infrastructures thatare universally accessible, completely scalable and cost effective. Thisallows customers to protect and leverage their Cisco infrastructureinvestments in training and expertise across new Cisco platforms.
Availability
The AS5200 Universal Access Server, with modems from either Microcom orU.S. Robotics, is scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 1996.Additional modem support will be announced in the future.About Cisco
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the leading globalsupplier ofinternetworking solutions,including routers, LAN and ATM switches, dial-upaccess servers, and network management software. These products, integratedby thePosted: Jan 26 09:39:12 1996
